> New Plymouth Concert

Taranaki Daily News | Monday 8th September| Harry Brown

YOUTH PUT ON FINE MUSICAL SHOW

New Zealand Youth Choir Concert

Conducted by James Tibbles and Michael Stewart

St Mary's Pro Cathedral, New Plymouth

Saturday 6th September 2008

Saturday saw the long-awaited concert from the 2008 NZ Youth Choir who, directed by James Tibbles and Michael Stewart, sang in St Mary's Pro Cathedral, taking us on a magic carpet tour of mainly contemporary music, singing with aplomb in seven different languages (eight if you include Irish).

Full-blooded depth and power from a Russian anthem contrasted with the delicacy of Britten's choral dances. We were treated to parts of a Mass in Swedish and mind-boggling vocal gymnastics from Denmark.

Rare moments came with the choir divided into three, using space as Gabrielli did centuries ago in Venetian cathedrals, then of course laughter at the delightful stage Irish.

The evening highlight for me was when the choir spread themselves around each nave and corner to sing in Norwegian, eclectic murmurings to spread throughout the cathedral with fascinating textural effects. The sort of music one might hear in Heaven.

As for the three waiata we heard, they could teach the All Blacks a few things. The NZ Youth Choir won 21-0.